Steam-generator.



Nb. 756,694. PATE NTED APR. 5, 1904.

H. E. PENNEY. STEAM GENERATOR.

- APPLIOATION FILED DEC. 21, 1903. N0 MODEL. ,3 SHEETS-$111131 L J2 J2 J5 [4 657 5 as [lever 050W" Q WLW fier5e7v/ E 2 6727269 5 5; ffofvzb y,

UNITED STATES Patented April 5, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

HERBERT E. PENNEY, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO NOTT FIRE ENGINE COMPANY, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, A

CORPORATION.

STEAM-GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 756,694, dated April 5, 1904.

Application filed December 21, 1903. Serial No. 185,924. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HERBERT E. PENNEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Minneapolis, county of Hennepin, and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam-Generators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to steam generators or boilers used in connection with fire-engines; and its object is mainly to produce a quick steam-generating and desirable boiler for such use.

Stated in a general way, my improved generator comprises concentric shells providing intermediate water and steam spaces and a series of interior tube -sections consisting of pairs of radially-arranged headers, the lower members of which pairs communicate with the water-space and the upper members with the steam-space and a series of coiled water-tubes connecting the headers of each of such pairs of headers.

My improvements are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a vertical sectional view of the shells and a side elevation of the series of interior tube-sections. Fig. 2 shows a top view of the same. Fig. 3 shows the upper portion of the shells in vertical section and in side elevation two of the upper headers of opposite pairs, and Fig. I shows a portion of the shells in vertical section and in elevation one of the tube-sections connected therewith.

In the drawings, 1 designates the outer, and 2 the inner, shell, providing an intermediate annular space, the lower portion 3 of which serves as the water-leg and the upper portion 4: of which serves as the steam-space. This annular space is closed at the bottom by a ring 5 and at the top by an inclined circular plate 6, secured to the shells. The fire-box 7 should be provided with the usual grate and with a door in the opening 8 in the shells. The boiler should be covered with a hood and smoke-stack (not shown) in the usual manner.

In communication with the water-leg 3 are lower series of horizontal radially-arranged headers 9, which are attached to the inner shell. By preference six such headers are employed in communication with the water-leg anda like number of headers 10 in communication with the steam space in verticallyalined pairs. As to shape they are preferably somewhat oval in cross-section for convenience in attaching the coil-tubes to them.

To each lower header 9 and to the upper header 10, that is in vertical alinement with it, is connected a series of coiled tubes 11,

that are coiled two complete turns in their spiral courses between the headers to which they are connected at corresponding distances from the header ends. It is desirable to use tubes of comparatively small diameter placed as close together as practicable in order that a considerable number may be employed. eight tubes are shown connected to each header, making an aggregate of forty-eight coiled tubes in the boiler, and it is suggested as a desirable form for that purpose; but I do not wish to be limited as to the size and number of tubes employed.

The tubes of a series connected to a pair of upper and lower headers are coiled concoutrically and in parallel courses and are so bent that all of the coils of a series or tube-section will trend on the same inclined plane. This arrangement is clearly indicated in Fig. 4:, which illustrates one of the tube-sections, and the tubes of the successive tube-sections are so bent adjacent to their respective headers as that the coils of the successive tube-sections will be disposed equidistantly that is, will trend in spiral courses on substantially equidistant inclined planes, as indicated in Fig. 1. In such arrangement of the tube-sections the intervening spaces provide spiral passageways through which the major portion of the hot gases take their upward course; but I dov not wish to confine myself'to a construction in which all of the coils of a tube-section make two turns in their course, nor one in which all of the coils of a tube-section trend on a common inclined plane, nor one in which the coils of the different tube-sections are arranged on equidistant planes, for in all of these re- In the construction illustrated spects the construction may be varied some what without changing the character of the generator, although such variations might tend to make a quicker or slower steam-protheir headers, so that a defective tube can be readily detached and removed either upward or downward by pulling upon it and at the same time twisting it comformably to its spiral shape and position with reference to adjacent coils. The headers should also be detachably connected to the shell 2, so that when freed from the coil-tubes both the coils and headers of a tube-section can be readily removed.

In the upper portion of the steam-space 4 is provided a separator 12 for the steam and water flowing from the upper headers into the steam-space, and this separator consists of a circular partition that divides the space between the shells into two annular chambers 13 and 14. The headers communicate with the inner annular space 14: and discharge therein the steam and water that rise from the coils. The water that has been carried over with the steam falls to the body of water in' into the steam space or drum to be conducted away in the usual manner.

The central space between the upper headers 10 is preferably covered by a baffle-plate 15 or other device to prevent a too free exit of the hot gases. However, if desired, the central space intervening the tube-sections may be occupied by a tube or tubes connected with the water-leg below and the steam-space above.

In operation, the water-level being maintained below the lower edge of the partition 12, water enters the tube-sections from the leg, and when it is heated and steam is generated thelatter, carrying with it more or less water, flows upward through the coils into the upper headers and thence into the inner annular space 1 1, where a separation of the water from the steam takes place, the former descending to the water-leg and the latter passing-around the partition and rising in the steam-space.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

1. In a steam-generator, the combination with concentric shells providing annular water and steam spaces, of tube-sections comprising lower and upper headers in communication respectively with said water and steam spaces, and a series of coils connecting the lower with the upper headers, substantially as set forth.

2. In a steam-generator, the combination with concentric shells providing annular water and steam spaces, of tube-sections comprising lower and upper radially-arranged headers in communication respectively with said water and steam spaces, and a series of coils connecting the lower with the upper headers, substantially as set forth.

3. In a steam-generator, the combination with concentric shells providing annular water and steam spaces, of tube-sections comprising lower and upper headers in communication respectively with said water and steam spaces and a series of coils extending spirally around the axis of the shells and connecting the lower with the upper headers, substantially as set forth.

4:. In a steam-generator, the combination with concentric shells providing annular water and steam spaces, of tube-sections comprising lower and upper radially-arranged headers in communication respectively with said water and steam spaces, and a series ofv coils extendingspirally around the axis of the shells and connecting the lower with the upper headers, substantially as set forth.

5. In a steam-generator, the combination with concentric shells providing annular water and steam spaces, of tube-sections comprising lower and upper headers in communication respectively with said water and steam spaces, and a series of coils extending spirally around the axis of the shells and trending in substantially equidistant courses and connecting the lower with the upper headers, substantially as set forth.

6. In a steam generator, the combination with concentric shells providing annular Wa ter and steam spaces, of tube-sections comprising lower and upper headers in communication respectively with said water and steam spaces,

and a series of coils connecting the lower with the upper headers, and a pendent partition dif viding the upper portion of the steam-space into outer and inner annular chambers that are closed at the top and sides and open at the bottom, substantially as set forth.

7 In a steam-generator, a group of tubesections comprising series of lower and upper radially-disposed headers and series of coils arranged in close radial order connecting pairs of the headers and extending on substantially equidistant spiral planes around a common vertical axis and providing spiral passage-ways intermediate the courses of the series of coils of adjacent tube-sections, means for supplying the lower headers with water, and means for conducting steam from the upper headers, substantially as set .forth.

8. In a steam-generator, a group of tubesections comprising series of lower and upper radially-disposed headers and series of coils connected to pairs of the headers in close radial arrangement and extending spirally in concentric courses around a common vertical axis on substantially equidistant spiral planes thereby providing spiral passage-ways intermediate the courses of the series of coils ofad acent tube-sections, means for supplying the lower headers with water, and means for conducting steam from the upper headers, substantially as set forth.

9. In a steam-generator, a group of tubesections comprising series of lower and upper radially-disposed headers having their adjacent ends closed and disconnected and series of coils arranged in close radial order connecting pairs of the headers and extending on substantially equidistant spiral planes around a common Vertical axis and providing spiral passage-ways intermediate the courses of the series of coils of adjacent tube-sections, means for supplying the lower headers with water, and means for conducting steam from the upper headers, substantially as set forth.

10. In a steam-generator, a group of tube-' sections comprising series of lower and upper radially-disposed headers and spiral tubes connecting them, each tube-section consisting of a lower and an upper header and a series of coils connected to them in close radial arrangement and extending in spiral courses on a common spiral plane, and the tube-sections of the group being disposed concentrically about a common vertical axis, whereby passage-ways in spiral courses around the common axis are produced intermediate the coils of adjacent tube-sections, means for supplying the lower headers with water, and means for conducting steam from the upper headers, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 18th day of December, 1903.

HERBERT E. PENNEY.

Witnesses:

P. H. GUNcKEL, H. A. BOWMAN. 

